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Francis Wemyss-Charteris-Douglas Wemyss

1911 Encyclopedia Britannica

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"FRANCIS WEMYSS-CHARTERIS-DOUGLAS WEMYSS, roTr Earl Of (1818-1914), British politician, was born at Edinburgh Aug. 4 1818, and was educated at Edinburgh, Eton and Christ Church, Oxford. He entered the House of Commons in 1841 as Lord Elcho, as Conservative member for E. Glos., holding the seat until 1846. From 1847 to 1883, when he succeeded his father in the peerage, he sat for Haddingtonshire and from 1852 to 1855 was a lord of the treasury. Lord Wemyss was best known for the part he took in encouraging the Volunteer movement (1859). From 1859 to 1879 he commanded the London Scottish, and was also one of the founders of the National Rifle Associa tion (1860), presenting it with the Elcho challenge shield for a yearly competition. He retained his vigour and energy almost till his death, which took place in London June 30 1914, at the great age of ninety-five. He was succeeded by his fourth but eldest surviving son, Hugo Richard, Lord Elcho (b. 1857).